Monday was cold but dry. I wore my rezipped thick jacket for a walk up to the Rosary. Dot went to the garden centre, and Peter Stibbons came round for a coffee and biscuits, but mainly so that I could sign off the accounts. He left just before Dot got back. Dot cleared up the garden while i walked. Watched Trigger Point, some rather tedious Winter Olympics, full of non-sports like freestyle snowboarding, and an excellent documentary on Daniel Barenboim, the conductor/pianist. He came over very well. Wrote to Alan and Rosemary: the former apparently is not so good, the latter better after having the tube in her stomach removed.

Tuesday dawned much warmer and sunny. Drove out on the Spixworth road to see Rosie. She was in good form, though she has a lot of back pain. Had tea and cake, then looked round the garden with Dot. Rosie has lost eight dogs and gained three. Current total = four. Had a good chat and promised to go out in April. Afterwards went to look for Roughton Heath, where Einstein was hidden in the late 1930s, but access was going to be difficult; so we postponed it and drove home.

In the afternoon we walked into the city, and I bought a couple of things but failed to find suitable shoes. Left Dot looking round M&S, and she eventually bought some slippers from Hotter. I walked home. Both pretty exhausted; so when she got home we lay down for a while. In the evening we watches two episodes of Chloe, which was quite mysterious and well done; then a bit about Ben Fogle living briefly with a head teacher who had upped and gone to be a crafter in the Shetlands. To me, being a head teacher looked a lot less stressful. Have been getting some strange head pains in my left ear region. Bit annoying.

Wednesday was not too col. Dry. Didn’t feel too well –- same as yesterday. Wrote most of sermon. Had bath in the afternoon and took paracetamol before going to football match in evening. Helped quite a lot. Went with Paul and met Jonathan there. Norwich drew 1-1 with Crystal Palace but could have won with better finishing. Met Des on the way back – he’d been to match too. For some reason single file traffic had been reinstated at lights. Huge tailback from Riverside. 

Thursday was colder; didn’t go out except to post papers through Des’s door. however did 4500 steps indoors. gradually felt better during day. Rewrote part of sermon and chose hymns. Dot went to Worstead School but I stayed in case her new trainers from Hotter were delivered. Actually arrived after she got back. Bridget came to clean. Watched end of Screw – which was very good – and a short film by Laurel and Hardy (Oliver the Eighth) that was very funny. 

Yesterday was cool but quite pleasant. Dot visited Phyllis and then went to shop. I completed my pointless DBS thing and sent it rather nervously, with passport, birth certificate and driving licence – together with a letter for Andrew and a birthday card for Dave Evetts. In the afternoon I edited some of my poetry book and sent it off to Paul, then Dot and I went to Bishops for a Valentine meal, which was delicious. Afterwards watched Vera and a programme about a river in Spain.  Having an e-mail discussion with Carrie about worship music.

Wednesday (2 Feb) was dry and coldish. Anne came round and Dot went for a walk with her while I translated a rather complicated Paston letter from Peter’s version of modern English into mine. Hard going. Philip R is in a bad way, and Anne is wilting a bit under the strain – unsurprisingly. In the afternoon we went to the cinema to see Kenneth Branagh’s Belfast. Very well done in black and white, with great performances by everyone, but the boy and his mother in particular. Cinema was very cold: they apologised, but we endured.

Des’s reiteration of my letter about the unnecessarily closed lanes of traffic got a response: they reopened them. Amazing. in the evening Dot went to orchestra, and I put together some stuff about my experience as an AWA so that I can do it for another three years. Typical C of E bureaucracy. Watched another episode of The Responder, but have to admit I find the consistent blasphemy offensive. And I’m not easily offended.

Thursday was a bit milder, but with a chilly wind. Had blood test in the morning from a very chatty and likeable nurse. Apparently they’re testing for just about everything. Did all the charity giving, and after lunch we walked to the Bishop’s House, where I posted my DNS form through the office letterbox. Walked home along the riverside path. In the evening Paul came for meal. I cooked chilli, and Dot did rhubarb soufflé. Had a good relaxing chat, and after he left we watched Screw, which continues to be excellent. Earlier watched the last episode of The Responder, which was very good. Pity about the language….

Friday was very wet at first, but by the time we went up to the church hall to practise with Matt and Phil, it had stopped, though there was still a chilly wind. Played the hymns for Sunday and some ceilidhs. Put together some more retailed stuff for AWA renewal on my iPad, then lost it – spent ages trying to find it, then it popped up from somewhere; so I copied it and put it in my Notes. Wish I could work out how Word works on iPad. Watched an old film, The Big Steal,  which was good, then The Bay and Death in Paradise, two very good series.

Saturday was cool and windy. Went food shopping at Morrisons in the morning, after which Dot did a roundabout walk home, and I picked up my cold-weather jacket with a mended zip from Dickson’s at Hellesdon, an excellent shop. Dot and I arrived home at the same time! Half-prepared hymns for tomorrow. Norwich beat Wolves 1-0 away in the Cup – bit of a surprise. Watched a programme about the Dordogne river and two episodes of The Teacher. Bed late. Hymn books bought from ebay with £20 gift from Chris Denton have all arrived. 

Yesterday started off windy with heavy rain, but the latter relented by the time we went to church. Had to park down Chatham Street. Congregation of 21 – two new people. Liz led and Carrie “preached”: I did the prayers. Spent a bit of time afterwards talking to Graham’s mother Sian, who has a lovely Welsh accent. Later watched some winter Olympics, interrupted by FaceTime with Andrew, assisted by Jade. He had just woken up at 3pm! Later watched some football and rugby and the two final episodes of The Teacher, starring Sheridan Smith. Quite tense, but some of the motivation didn’t really work and the ending was poor. David FaceTimed – had  long conversation about government, political decisions etc. Trying to persuade him to write a book. 

Quite windy recently – especially elsewhere in the country, where people died last Saturday when trees fell. Not so cold, though. I walked up to the Rosary and put some flowers on the family graves, hoping they wouldn’t blow away. The flowers, not the graves. Walked home via Rosary Road to check signage at the bottom. Idiotically it says Rosary Road is not a through route (CCTV) and access only, but if you’re coming down from the roundabout there’s nowhere else to go! Complete idiocy.

Rewrote part of m sermon (I was still not sure about it) and caught up on e-mails, as well as sending out the final rota. Late in the afternoon Dot walked up to Morrisons, and I drove up later to bring back shopping so that she could walk home. Watched Lucky Jim, which was pretty funny, then the final two episodes of Hidden Assets, which was brilliant. Dot’s Mum’s birthday: she would have been 102. David contacted Dot to make sure she was all right – very thoughtful. I’ve finished reading the Cohen book, which was fascinating, although I’m not sure the author quite “gets” Christianity.

Sunday was cold, but there was some sun. Went to church and preached as well as playing guitar (during the latter I cut my finger, which made me feel like an old blues man, which is probably what I am). Preached a sermon on fear that had been bothering me all week (the sermon, not fear), because part of it was anti-mask, but to my astonishment no-one was wearing a mask in church today. The sermon worked out well, and everyone seemed to like it – or the ones that didn’t kept quiet.

After lunch Dot walked to Boots and bought a couple of things while I cleared up generally. We then spent some time at our computers. I wrote to one of our councillors complaining about the mess that is the roadworks on Riverside. Also wrote a piece for my website and included a fairly new poem. Unexpectedly we booked a holiday in Malt Cottage at Snape in June, partly so that we could go to a couple of concerts. Only one seat left for one (Nicola Benedetti); so Dot is going. Carrie rang to say someone who was at church for the first time really liked my sermon. Chuffed. 

On Monday there was a very cold wind, but it was dry. Strong NW wind and high tides resulted in beach losses at Hemsby and Winterton; flooding at Lowestoft. Finished Graham Bradshaw’s book in bed this morning – interesting in that it reminded me of the Acton Gazette, and of a dream I had a long time ago centred on a newspaper office rather like the Gazette but situated where the old Norwich Central Library was. Bizarre. Caught up with quite a lot of stuff on the computer (again) while Dot went to Morrisons to buy food for tomorrow night, when we’re having people round. Later did some updating to my Princess story. FaceTimed with David as he drove back from the farm shop (Chrissy holding phone). Watched second episode of Trigger Point, which was so tense I went to sleep. Then a Storyville on Germans looking back at life as or with Nazis. Quite revealing. 

Yesterday was warmer, but it was still windy. Drove down to the Town House, where Archant pensioners now meet, and had tea and – because of a misunderstanding – a small fried breakfast and then a bacon wrap. Bit much. Robin (now 90) and Shelagh were there, but not David, Bill or Brian and Tricia. Spoke to John Thompson, one of the printers, quite a bit. Was reminded that Archant is now for sale again, and Prospect House is a shadow of its glory days. Very sad. Dot walked up to Cary’s Meadow, where I picked her up. We skipped lunch.

David and Bridget, and Judy, came for evening meal, and Dot did an excellent repast – carrot and watercress in an orange sauce with halloumi; then salmon and spinach tart; then pavlova. I was invited to get a new DSB certificate and filled out a form by ticking “no” several times and then signing it. Rigorous stuff, and a complete waste of time IMHO, especially as I had to print off the document and deliver it to Bishop’s House (haven’t done that yet).

Pretty busy week. Today Dot went to visit a school at Tasburgh and I walked up to church (with my guitar on my back – a first) to help Phil practise guitar with Matt on piano. We did quite a lot (90 minutes), including a lot of ceilidh music. Dot arrived for the last half hour or so and joined in. I think we sounded pretty good! Earlier on the way up I bumped into Rob and Penny, and we had a quick chat.

Later Dot walked up to the dentist because she broke a bit off her front tooth yesterday. They fitted her in immediately, and it’s all sorted at a cost of £200. We went on the street for a drink and chat at 5.30, and Des bought us some fish and chips – first time for months I’ve dared to have them. Meanwhile I think I’ve finished my sermon for Sunday, we’ve watched Death in Paradise (good) and a bit of West Side Story, which as far as I’m concerned is pretty awful, and we’ve just finished chatting to David on FaceTime about days gone by. The Murrays were visiting them.

Last Sunday was very cold but dry. Went to church, and it was extremely cold inside. Wore three layers plus anorak and had my hood up, except when I was doing prayers. Everyone in masks but me. Simon Stokes preached – good as usual. Debbie/Carrie were complaining afterwards about old hymns (picked by Martin) – I can see what they mean, up to a point. Spoke to David on FT – children Ok. Watched a lot of TV – Around the World in 80 Days (brilliant), The Green Planet (Attenborough irritating, but good photography), Call the Midwife (just the right side of twee most of the time) and The Tourist (very weird but compelling).

Monday was cold and dry again. Dot went to Brooke in the morning, then discovered the head had cancelled it. Meanwhile I sorted out a compline for tomorrow and copied some liturgy for church (some pages keep going missing). Later Dot picked up coats from cleaners and bought a new, rather nice mustard-coloured one for herself from Go Outdoors. Have halved my dose of beta-blockers and started taking my blood pressure, which turns out to be low (101/69 tonight). Remembered my mother’s blood pressure was very low – maybe it’s why I feel so cold all the time. Watched a lot of TV again – including You’ve Got Mail, in which Meg Ryan is superb: you can see what she’s thinking. Also a couple of episodes of Hidden Assets, which continues to be excellent, the first episode of Trigger Point, a bomb disposal thriller that’s highly promising, and the final episode of Only Connect. E M Forster would have been proud.

Tuesday was very cold again, but dry and still. No sun. In the afternoon walked with Dot up to the Ear Care Centre and had my wax vacuumed out in roughly 5 minutes. Cost £55. She walked home, but I arrived not much later. In the evening Eleanor came round and we went to Judy’s for Cake and Compline. All there except Claire. After arriving home we watched a really good documentary on T S Eliot (Sky Arts). Earlier we watched The Responder, about a street-level policeman set in Liverpool. Not over-impressed. 

Wednesday was brighter and not quite so cold. Dot had a DSSO meeting at the Showground, and I walked up to the Maids Head for a chat with Paul Dickson, who may publish my Princess book.He was also interested in my poems – very encouraging. Have sent him Houseago and Little. Wrote part of sermon and chose hymns for Sunday. Drove Dot to orchestra at St Mary Magdalene because parking there is at a premium, and picked her up afterwards. Watched Part Two of The Responder, which was better, and a documentary on Jay Blades learning to read, which was very interesting. Saw photographer Denise Bradley In the Maids Head; she seemed pleased to see me.

Thursday was Sheila’s funeral: requiem mass at North Walsham RC Church. Arrived in NW early, bought flowers in Sainsburys, put some on graves and took a lovely bunch to the church and handed them to the funeral directors. Dot was nervous about reading the lesson but eventually checked with the priest, who was very nice. I found her a Bible at the back of the church. Very large family gathering, plus friends: church was pretty full. Walked to cemetery afterwards with Dot and got there before anyone else except funeral directors and priest.

Fortunately the weather was good, mainly sunny but with a chilly wind. After the burial we walked to the Shambles restaurant for the wake. Very nice buffet. Spoke to quite a few people – Bridgett didn’t come to the wake because the sisters don’t get on.  Don’t know why. At Shambles spoke to Diane Velhagen (NW heritage person), Annabelle (friend of Martin Kirby),  plus Sheila’s sister and her husband, and some others. Got back home (via Spixworth road) before Bridget the cleaner was picked up by David. In the evening watched The Bay and Screw (both very good). Am feeling quite a bit better on lower beta blockers, and blood pressure is good too.

Monday was cold but walkable. Got quite a lot done, including booking a windscreen job and booking an e-consult with the surgery.  Also worked out another six-week rota for church. In the evening we watched a really good new Irish-Belgian thriller called Hidden Assets and another episode of the excellent The Tourist. 

Tues was not quite so cold. Wrote two articles for Parish Pump. Went for walk with Dot to Rosary. Felt very tired on return – in fact not particularly well all day. Dot took clothes up to cleaners before walk. Paul Dickson liked my Lost Princess story, and I’m meeting him next week to talk about it. Watched Remains of the Day, which was superb but very sad. Then a bit of a documentary on why ships crash, which was unexpectedly interesting..  

It was dry but quite windy on Wednesday, and therefore very chilly. Saw the end of the above-mentioned documentary, but before that the guy from Autoglass came to replace  my windscreen, which he did in about an hour. Impressive expertise. Cost me £75 excess on my insurance, but very pleased to have it done. After lunch we drove to Morrisons, and Dot and I went for a walk round behind Carrow Road before doing the shopping. She walked home. Later Teresa rang up to talk about the funeral – Dot will be doing a reading.

Watched several episodes of Only Connect, and I got one question right that no-one else did. Needless to say I got everything else wrong. The council at last picked up the recycling and I think dumped my non-recycling rubbish in with it. Great news on the national front: all Covid restrictions ending in a week’s time. Dot went to orchestra in the evening, and I played through En Passant chess games. Have booked an ear appointment; still feeling very cold. Finished Saving Einstein – bit hard going at times, but lots of fascinating information. 

Thursday was cold and showery. Stayed indoors, but Dot walked up to get her watch with its new battery from Dipples, who unexpectedly reduced the price from £50 to £35. Bridget came to clean. Watched last two episodes of  Rules of the Game, which was an industrial thriller well acted but in a singularly unattractive urban setting, beset with wind farms and electricity pylons. Am reading a book on Leonard Cohen’s mystical lyrics. Managed 4500 steps indoors.

Yesterday (Friday) was very cold again, but dry. Norwich beat Watford 3-0 away, but NOW tv wasn’t working; so we had to put up with Chris Goreham. Floodlights failed for ten minutes when we were 1-0. Sargent scored twice – both excellent goals. NO doubt invigorated by birth of his child. Earlier Dot walked up to city to buy bereavement cards and trousers, and I walked to the Rosary via Cotman Road, then home through the cemetery. Over 6000 steps today.

Doctor rang for consult in the morning and agreed to cut my beta blockers by half as an experiment. Later the receptionist rang and booked me in for a blood test, which I was very pleased about. Des and Chris came over for drinks instead of standing in the street, which was nice. Watched Death in Paradise after the match.

Today is sunny and cold. Got a text message saying my pills were ready at about 12.15. So Dot and I drove up to get them, and then went for walk in Harrison’s Wood. After lunch we read for quite a long time. This evening we watched A View to a Kill, which must be one of the best Bond films.

Well, it’s not getting much warmer, although it’s a mite chillier in Ontario: David has just FaceTimed with huge amounts of snow in the background. None of that here, but we’re getting some sun, and today I noticed that the afternoons were getting longer, as far as the light is concerned. I went out for a walk too, up to the Rosary, after Dot had done an earlier solo walk down by the river, to buy a new bobble hat from the Carrow Road shop to commemorate Norwich’s recent win over Everton.

While she was doing that I was e-consulting my surgery, and am now expecting ca all from them some time on Friday, because I threatened to stop taking my beta blockers, which I suspect are making me cold and achy. I also rang up Autoglass, who are coming to fix my car windscreen on Wednesday. Before doing my e-consult I also did another lateral flow test, just in case.

Our vicar now has Covid, though mildly. He posted on Facebook warning people to test every day, because he had had several negative tests before getting his positive one. I guess that’s fine if you’re determined to get it. Worrying how many people thought that was a good idea.

Anyway, last Thursday was sunny and cold. In the afternoon Sean came round to try out an old cassette on our machine, but it was quite muffled. As a result I played a very clear The Lion and Albert to Bridget, who came round to clean, and David, who came to pick her up. In the evening we watched a new series of The Bay, and Screw, a very good series set in a prison. Excellent characters. 

Friday was very cold, but sunny. Had a haircut in morning, followed by a bath. Felt quite ill most of the afternoon: stomach felt wrong, shivery and my head was swimmy, with lots of popping. Took paracetamol, which helped a bit. Dot thought it was the beta blocker, but I wasn’t so sure. However, I’m now giving it a shot. Anne came round for a couple of hours, then I went out for drinks on the street while Dot went to Morrisons. Des brought her fish and chips: I had kipper and leeks. Watched the film Rita, Sue and Bob too, which was funny but quite odd: think I liked it more than Dot did. Then Death in Paradise. 

Felt rotten on Saturday morning after a bad night and took a Covid test, but it was negative. Went back to bed and got a little more sleep while Dot practised violin. After lunch she went to the match with Matt and Amanda: Norwich beat Everton 2-1. After doing a number of things, I had a bath. In the evening was well enough to go for a meal with Des and Chris – curry-centric. Very nice too. Felt full and tired, but much better than earlier.

Sunday was very cold but dry. Not walking weather, especially as I still don’t feel right (though not as bad as Friday). Went to church in the morning, and I gave a sermon I did almost exactly 20 years ago. Well received. Dennis, a new member of the congregation, then gave a mini-sermon during news time. Carrie was leading. Only 13 there. Had longish FT with David in the afternoon, mainly on politics. Suggested he wrote a book. Glad to hear that Amy is apparently much better. Watched a lot of TV, including football, The Green Planet, Around the World in 80 Days (which is brilliant) and Vera. 

The last couple of days have been refreshingly sunny, and we’ve taken advantage by going for walks. I’ve just got back from a walk up the Close, past the Adam & Eve and home by the riverside path. I dropped Dot off at the Refectory to see Janet Bower, and she is now returning by the riverside path. Meanwhile, I’ve had a bath, during which the window cleaner turned up, though happily not in the bathroom.

Last Friday was cold too, but not so inviting. I didn’t go out, partly because I wasn’t feeling too good, but Dot did manage a longish walk. Afterwards we had curry and Christmas pudding (not simultaneously) and then watched Death in Paradise. David FaceTimed and we walked about Sheila’s recent death, among other things.

Saturday was miserable: cold, wet and windy, and very dark too. Dot posted a card in the morning and came back exhausted. Fortunately we’re both feeling rather better after a long sleep. Spoke to Phil K  on the phone – he was in A& E for hours with blood in his urine, but the doctor thinks it’s the after-effects of his operation, and he’s back home on antibiotics. Dot had a longish conversation with Teresa, and I caught up with e-mails and other things, such as editing pictures. Walked 4500 steps indoors, and made the evening meal – salmon and fruit salad, again not simultaneously. Finished watching Friends – a disappointing ending, with Rachel lumbered with pathetic Ross. Watched I’m All Right Jack (1959), which was pretty good, and some FA Cup football.

Sunday was sunny but pretty cold. Went to church: Liz leading and Graham preaching. Played guitar – went quite well. Still most people wearing masks, and a window open, but bearable. Rhianna came, but I didn’t recognise her (mask). After lunch listened to Norwich City beating Charlton 1-0 in the Cup. Dot cleaned out a couple of cupboards and cooked blackberry and apple crumble. Then watched Heavens Above! – a very good film that lost its way a bit. Watched Around the World and a couple of Christmas University Challenge episodes. Another long talk with David on FaceTime. 

Monday was cold but dry. Did quite a longish walk with Dot down the riverside path and round the back of Carrow Road. Bought a new beard trimmer from Boots on the way back. Other than that, quite a quiet day. Watched Vera (a new series), the next episode of The Tourist, and Call the Midwife. Started reading the new Leonard Cohen book that Kristine gave us. 

Tuesday was wet, cold,  grey and miserable. Stayed in. Odd day. Received Cley Smokehouse stuff and some kippers from Amazon, within seconds of each other. Submitted some tanka to The Bamboo Hut. Had a phone call from Mike Read. Managed to walk 4000 steps, sorted out sermon (recycled) for Sunday, and hymns. Caught up with e-mails and watched quite a bit of TV, including several episodes of University Challenge, a Norwegian thriller (first episode) called The Outlier and a new home-grown drama called Rules of the Game. 

Yesterday was sunny, but cold. Wine arrived. Went for walk with Dot after lunch – part of tree trail. Met a guy called James who was clearing gutters at St Peter Hungate. Interesting chat. Bumped into Anna, who leaves for Mexico tomorrow. Dot stayed in town to do shopping, and I went home. Over 7000 steps. Dot went to orchestra in the evening, and Norwich lost 2-0 to West Ham away, though apparently they played quite well. Healthwise a bit of a mixture: sometimes felt really ill, but most of the time OK. 

All very strange today. I haven’t been feeling too well for the last few days, and have just sent off a Covid test, though I’m pretty sure I haven’t got it. In fact, I fluctuate – some of the time I feel OK, and then I feel pretty awful for a bit. Still, it doesn’t stop me doing things. Most of today I’ve been editing Karen Smyth’s Paston project evaluation, which is 95 pages long and, come to think of it, might be making me feel ill. Still, nothing compared to Dot’s lovely Aunt Sheila, who died this afternoon in hospital, aged in her early 90s. Quite peaceful, apparently. We didn’t see her often, but we’ll miss her. Teresa rang to let us know.

Earlier I finished reading The Snowdonia Killings, which was pretty exciting and a very easy read. Today is cold but dry: yesterday was cold too, with rain later in the day. Felt quite bad at different times, but especially after having a bath late afternoon. This was after posting my Covid test in the rain. Earlier Dot and I went for a walk after parking at Morrisons, then did quite a big shop. Both of us did over 6000 steps, but not all of them together. Did some Paston editing and quite a bit of reading. Watched Dr Who and Screw, a drama series set in a prison. Dot was not feeling particularly well either: she has a scratchy throat. 

There was mixed weather on Sunday: dry at first, but rain later. Church in the morning. I led and Carrie “preached”, with Dot doing the prayers really well. We seem to have settled on a new layout in the hall, but really it’s the reinstatement of an older layout. Eleanor came round in the afternoon to pick up presents from the Compline group and stayed for tea and cake. In the evening Dot and I went to the cinema in the rain and saw The House of Gucci , which was quite well done but, being true in the main, didn’t make too much sense. Lead characters changed their personalities for no apparent reason. 

I was already feeling a bit off, and so on Monday I took a lateral flow test in the morning, but it was clear. I also had no Covid symptoms; so after dropping in at Morrisons, we drove to Anglesey Abbey, near Cambridge, where we met Dave, Julia, Vicky, Oliver, Oliwia and Amy. the car park was packed: eventually found a spot and guided the others in. Went to the restaurant; Amy, Julia and I kept tables while the rest of them queued about 45 minutes for food, which was however quite good. Afterwards we went for a walk in the grounds: beautiful winter walk – got some good pictures. Weather was sunny and not too cold: very pleasant altogether. Talked to everyone. Oliwia is lovely. Dave seemed a bit tired. I had taken paracetamol; so felt OK. Easy drive home. Cooked chilli con carne and watched football, then two episodes of The Tourist, an Australian thriller which was excellent and easy to follow. Walked 8000 steps – similar to Saturday.

On Tuesday it was back to grey and wet, and much colder from late morning. Drove up to Oakfields for our (probably) last Archant coffee morning there. Widespread absenteeism, including Robin, Brian and partners. Present: Eric, Bill Woodcock, Jennie Downing, Dot and me. Had a very nice scone and some tea. Dot had scone and two coffees, all for under £10. Good conversation. Left promptly to be home in time for the visit of Anna for violin lesson and lunch. Felt a bit tired and headachy in afternoon. Did some reading and watched the first two episodes of Around the World in 80 Days, which was really well done. Also saw new season start of Call the Midwife. Managed to get up to 4500 steps indoors. 

On Wednesday there was a lockdown in Toronto, apparently. Cold here, but went out for a walk, mainly to buy more lateral flow tests. No one had any, so I ordered some from the Government. They arrived this morning. I tried to get an e-consult with Thorpewood but but unsuccessful: they wanted me to ring up, but by that time I’d lost the will to live. Dot was feeling a bit unwell after helping Bridget to take down decorations. We also put them up in the loft later. Watched a couple more episodes of Around the World. Strangely, I seem to have plenty of energy. Maybe since I started taking Vitamin D. 

Well, here we are in 2022, and it looks kind of familiar. Dot and I took a longish walk this morning – about three miles – and there were plenty of people about, quite a few of them in masks, which always seems to me pointless in the open air. But perhaps they don’t want to be recognised. We walked round the riverside path, crossed Coslany bridge and came back through the city and the Close. Very pleasant weather for a change – high cloud, some sun and pretty mild. Apparently the warmest new year’s day since records started a couple of years ago.

We were due some decent weather. Until yesterday the week had been deep grey, wet and extremely unpleasant. On Tuesday I only went out once – to take three of my latest books to Joy McCall, placing them carefully in her bin. Joy is one of my greatest admirers and a huge encouragement, but she’s been having a hard time. Her daughter died last year, and Joy herself has continual health problems, of course, being paraplegic.

Back home I managed to write my two Parish Pump pieces and a short blurb for one of Joy’s books, among other things, then watched Norwich play Crystal Palace on Amazon Prime and lose 3-0. It’s getting pretty disheartening. Then England lost the third test and the Ashes series against Australia. Pretty inept all around. Watched an episode of Vienna Blood – very good – and the Christmas special of Call the Midwife, which just teetered on the right side of sickly. We are on the penultimate season of Friends.

Wednesday was – guess what? – grey and wet again. Amy started her journey home: all seemed to be going well. We FTd David, but Amy was in the shower. Played through some chess games from En Passant while Dot went to Morrisons.

Thursday was – yes – damp and grey yet again. Amy’s journey home went well, though she apparently slept for 18 hours after getting there. Kristine came up by train: I met her at the station at 11.45 while Dot finished getting ready. Dot cooked a salmon tart and a pseudo-pavlova, both of which were delicious. Carrie came round while we were talking and had a coffee: Kristine seemed to like her. When she went, we moved upstairs and watched The Chosen, then Kristine caught the 17.30 train home: we both went to the station. In the evening we watched the last Vienna Blood, which was excellent again, as well as the film Paddington and a surprisingly good documentary on Prince Philip.

New Year’s Eve yesterday surprised everyone by being mild, with some sun. I walked up to the Rosary in early afternoon after posting books to Philip Butcher and a letter to Mike Read, who coincidentally rang just as I was about to go out. He wanted to bring me a copy of his latest book, which contains four of my games (+2-2), but Dot had already bought it for me for Christmas, and I had mentioned it on my website. Wrote a number of thank-you e-mails before going over to Des and Chris’s for tea and nibbles in the afternoon. This was followed by drinks in the street (or under the garage) and our evening meal, which was lamb chops. We watched TV after that, ending with the usual Jools’ Hootenanny, which was pretty predictable. Went to bed about 12.20am. 

So Christmas is receding into the distance, under a grey and soggy sky. There was lots happening in Canada, as David’s excellent pictures revealed, but not quite so much here, though Boris resisted the temptation to shut everything down. I suspect there would have been mass civil disobedience if he had.

Last Thursday was another grey day, with some rain which we largely avoided. We went to Paul’s for a pleasant Christmas get- together, much of which I spent speaking to Philip Butcher and to Jo and Robert Conway, neighbours who are left-wing cycling fanatics. Also Holly and Joe: talked a lot about their jobs. Liked the sound of Holly’s boyfriend. 

Christmas Eve was grey and damp. My Pinsentry gave up the ghost; so I downloaded the Barclays app and sent money to Oliver and Amy, plus a card to Oliver and made another couple of payments. In the afternoon I dropped off a card and book for Joy, then drove to see Thelma – bit of a wait for her but stayed for about 50 minutes. Home for huge Christmas meal. FTd Canada, where all were gathering at Palmer Circle. Des and Chris brought nibbles round. Didn’t go to Midnight Communion. Watched Carols from Kings and end of The Girl Before, which was quite interesting.

Happily Christmas Day was a bit brighter: dry but very cold. Woke late (9.20) but squeezed in a bath before we went up to the church to help with lunch for about half a dozen droppers-in, including Harriet, and Carrie’s off-piste granddaughter Jasmine. Went pretty well. Had quite a chat with two or three of the men. We opened our presents to each other before that, but when we came home we opened the rest. Cleared up and watched some TV, including Vienna Blood, a very good thriller set around 1900 or earlier. FaceTimed David and Chrissy, but Amy was speaking to her mum. Got lots of books and an excellent bag from David, plus a really nice pen and notebook. 

The greyness returned on Boxing Day – with plenty of rain. Woke late again. Dot went to watch Norwich lose 5-0 to Arsenal, spending quite a lot of time sorting out her Covid passport. I stayed at home and cleared up. Another big meal in the evening, then David and Amy FaceTimed us and showed us their presents. Watched Death in Paradise Christmas special and then Norwich on MOTD.  No church. 

Yesterday, not much change weather-wise. Grey with lots of rain, but not too cold. After doing lateral flow tests we drove to Coventry with Andrew’s presents from Phil and Joy. Traffic very bad on the way there: we left at 10.35 and didn’t arrive till 2.15. Huge queue at Barton Mills, a bit on the A14 and much more at the entrance to Cambridge Services. Very wet after Thetford. Andrew seemed well; we took videos of him opening his presents and helped him to look at the DVD we’d sent him. Stayed for 90 minutes. Journey back wasn’t so bad. Stopped  at different services (Brampton?) for croissant and tea/coffee. Dot drove first and last. Bought petrol in Norwich, then were too tired to do much else. Watched a bit of TV. David sent some great pix of Christmas in Canada. Did I mention that?